What to Look for in a High-Quality Custom Screen Print

Extreme Screen Prints
February 22, 2024

Demanding quality in everything you invest insists on standing out from the crowd. Interestingly, if this philosophy applies to your apparel aesthetics too, our latest guide will serve as your north star! 

Unravel the secrets behind high-quality custom screen prints and discover what makes them incredibly durable and vibrantly colorful. 

Key Features of High-Quality Custom Screen Prints

Screen printing is a durable and vibrant method for creating high-quality designs on shirts. It's essential to know what to look for in colorful, durable designs when seeking custom screen prints that will last. Here are two crucial features:

Detailing and textures

When it comes to creating an appealing design, intricate detailing and contrasting textures can make all the difference. The precision of screen printing allows for detailed designs with sharp outlines and clear lines between colors. A knowledgeable and experienced printer can enhance the visual appeal of t-shirts using different techniques like halftones, gradients, simulation process color, or even hand-drawn sketches.

For instance, consider a design featuring flowers with varying shades and highlights. The detail must be precise, immediately standing out both from a distance and upon close inspection. Each texture plays off each other, enabling a design that is visually stunning.

Moreover, texturing enhances the overall aesthetic of the print. The thickness or thinness of the ink can also affect how the printed image appears on fabric. Furthermore, using different ink variations, such as metallic or neon, adds depth and creativity.

Investing in quality materials for your designs ensures longevity through intense washes without losing vibrancy or clarity.

Durability and Color Retention

When it comes to screen printing, durability and color retention are critical factors that determine the success of a custom print. The process of screen printing requires ink to be pressed onto a fabric surface through a stencil or mesh screen. As a result, the quality of the ink and how it is cured will determine the durability of the design. It's essential to test the ink by stretching the printed area to see if it cracks or peels off. Poorly printed designs can make your investment worthless as it fades away, so choosing a printer with strong experience and expertise in this area is invaluable.

Selecting the Right Fabric Type for Screen Printing

The type of fabric used is also essential for both the appearance and longevity of a custom screen-printed design. Certain fabrics are more suitable for screen printing than others, such as 100% cotton, poly-cotton blends, or tri-blend materials. Fabrics like rayon or silk might not hold up as well with repeated washing and wear. Another important factor to consider when selecting the right fabric type is checking for stray fibers that can interfere with ink adhesion. Examine dyes on fabrics that might fade away faster, and inspect construction for loose seams, missing threads, and even stitches.

Material Considerations for Screen Printing

Beyond selecting appropriate fabric types, several material considerations come into play when undertaking custom screen printing. The right ink color is just as important as the fabric itself. The number of colors in your design will significantly impact the final product quality.

Ink choice

Plastisol ink might be the best choice if you are working on light-colored fabrics, such as white or neutral colors. On darker fabrics, such as black or navy, screened discharge inks can be useful. Water-based inks provide a softer hand on 100% cotton and offer more granular texture choices.

Curing method

The curing method used during printing determines how colorfastness' longevity will last over time. Inadequate curing can make your print less durable and contribute to fading in the long run.

For flawless designs with uniform ink dispersion, Extreme Screen Prints suggests using large squeegees and high quality inks while printing our clothes for clients. In order to guarantee that printed graphics endure longer without sacrificing quality, we also employ cutting-edge drying procedures in conjunction with chemical bonding agents.

Selecting the Right Fabric Type

The fabric type you select can impact the result of your custom screen print designs. Cotton and cotton blends are popular choices since they are durable, easy to print on, and provide vibrant colors. Polyester blends can be trickier to print on as they require special ink that adheres well to the fabric. Tri-blends are also excellent options since they combine the softness of cotton with the moisture-wicking properties of polyester. When selecting a fabric, it's important to check for stray fibers, examine the dyes used on the material, and hold it up to light to check its thickness and breathability.

Printing Technique and Ink Selection

Screen printing is a durable and vibrant method for creating high-quality designs on shirts. However, the quality of the ink and how it was cured determine the durability of the color. To ensure the best results with screen printing, it's essential to choose a design that is not too complex and has clearly visible fonts. Without the help of experts, multiple colors can be difficult to achieve.

Suppose a design includes fine lines or detailed patterns; then traditional hand-screening may not be sufficient to achieve sharp results. Digital transfers might prove to be a better alternative in this scenario.

When it comes to the types of inks used for screen prints, two primary options include water-based ink and plastisol ink. While water-based ink feels softer and has an eco-friendly appeal, it's essential to note that it becomes brittle over time while standing against washing cycles. On the other hand, plastisol inks feel harder but have superior durability.

Ultimately, both of these aspects—the technique employed for printing and the type of ink used—shape your final product's quality.

Elevating the Standards of Custom Apparel with Extreme Screen Prints

Extreme Screen Prints is the leading provider of high-quality screen printing and custom apparel. We are committed to exceeding your expectations by providing flawless screen printing with unparalleled attention to detail. Our experience ensures that your idea is accurately and beautifully printed on each garment. 

If you're looking for the best in the business, contact us today to discuss the specifics of your project. Trust Extreme Screen Prints to take your bespoke apparel experience to new heights.

Extreme Screen Prints
Last Updated:
February 22, 2024